The warm climate in South Texas offers a longer window for lawn fertilization, due to the extended growing season. Typically, you’ll fertilize in March and October, but you might need to do it more often with higher-maintenance lawns.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best times to fertilize your lawn, since timing your fertilizer correctly will help your lawn stay healthy all year round. However, if you want information about the entire state, check out our article: “When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Texas.”
Best time to fertilize your lawn in South Texas
South Texas has an extended growing season, which lasts 8 to 10 months (depending on whether you’re in the Valley or Southeast Texas), so you’ll be able to fertilize your lawn in spring, fall, and summer if your lawn requires moderate to high maintenance.
Let’s take a look at the details of each of these fertilizer applications for the best grasses for South Texas:
Spring fertilization
In South Texas, warm-season grass growth can start as early as late January, around the time of the last spring frost. In the Rio Grande Valley, most cities won’t even experience a freeze. To ensure your lawn is actively growing, it’s best to begin fertilizing only after you’ve mowed it 2 or 3 times.
This typically happens about six weeks after the last frost (if the area has frost), so you’ll typically be able to fertilize on the following dates:
- Around March 1, in cities like Harlingen and McAllen, in the Valley
- Around March 15, in the region near Corpus Christi and Laredo
- Around April 1, in Southeast Texas, near cities like Houston and Victoria
Summer fertilization
Summer fertilization in South Texas can be beneficial if your lawn is newly established, has been neglected, or if you have a St. Augustine lawn that needs a color boost. Time this application about 45 to 60 days after your initial spring fertilization for optimal results.
It’s best to use slow-release nitrogen fertilizers to avoid rapid growth spurts that could stress the grass. Read more about this topic in our guide: “The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Texas.”
Pro Tip: Skip the summer fertilization if there’s a drought, as applying fertilizer in those conditions can do more harm than good.
Fall fertilization
Fall fertilization in South Texas can extend your lawn’s vibrant color, help it resist winter weeds, and promote a quicker recovery in early spring. The best time to apply fertilizer in the region is in October, about six weeks before the first frost (if applicable).
Pay attention to the cut-off dates for your last fertilizer application:
- Around November 1 in the Valley, including cities like Harlingen, McAllen, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and Victoria
- Around October 15 for cities further north, like San Antonio and Houston
More Texas resources
Warm-season grasses are the only option for South Texas, but there might be some slight differences in how to care for them, including how to fertilize them. Luckily, you can learn all about them in our articles:
- Bermudagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
- Zoysiagrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
- St. Augustinegrass Maintenance Calendar for Texas
Moreover, we also have helpful resources regarding how to care for your lawn in general:
- The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas
- The Most Common South Texas Weeds
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Texas
Call a professional
Now that you know when to fertilize your lawn in South Texas, you’re well on your way to a healthier, greener yard. But remember, you don’t have to tackle all of this on your own. If the thought of timing everything just right feels overwhelming, call a local lawn care professional.
We have pros just a call away in McAllen, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and other South Texas locations. Let them handle the hard work while you sit back and enjoy the Texas sunshine.
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